David Clarke - Page 9

When I saw the current Broadway revival of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, I enjoyed it. So, it was a surprise when I didn't feel the same way about Broadway Records' FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (2016 Broadway Cast Recording) upon first listen. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is one of my top four favorite shows of all time, so I gave the album another couples of listens, and the charm of this record revealed itself to me.

THE COLOR PURPLE's critically lauded revival is currently impressing audiences eight times a week at the Jacobs in New York City. The show is one of Broadway's most popular shows, making tickets somewhat scarce. So, if you're like me, you haven't been able to see it. Luckily, Broadway Records has recorded the revival cast and released THE COLOR PURPLE (New Broadway Cast Recording).

Actress/singer Rumer Willis returns to New York City with her spellbinding debut at Cafe Carlyle. Having previously wowed New York audiences as Roxie in Broadway's CHICAGO and at Feinstein's/54 Below, Willis' sultry instrument and chanteuse aura melds her youthful energy with the reverence for music that is associated with this historic venue.

On Sunday, Billy Mitchell's Villain: DeBlanks ended a triumphant six-month run at New York City's The Triad. The all-star cast, led by producer Brenda Braxton, brought the house down with Mitchell's latest script, Space Hole!.

On Monday, February 29, 2016, the Broadway at Birdland concert series will be presenting Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens as a benefit concert. With music by Janet Hood, lyrics and additional text by bill Russell, the piece is comprised of songs and monologues inspired by the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt and Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology. To get the inside scoop on the upcoming star studded concert, I chatted with Russell and director Jill Sapenoff.

Something special is happening off-Broadway at the SoHo Playhouse. A troupe of talented performers calling themselves The Spaghetti and Meatball Players are encouraging everyone to be weird with THE COMMEDIA RAPUNZEL, a new show written by Sam LaFrage and directed by Dennis Corsi and LaFrage.

Closing January 2016 with a bang, Broadway veteran and singer-songwriter Brian Gallagher shook Birdland Jazz Club with BRIAN GALLAGHER AND FRIENDS. He has been crafting new songs, writing a musical about a serial killer haunted by her victims, and even crafting a song cycle about rats. Utilizing his recent birthday as leverage, he assembled a roster of celebrated Broadway and musical theatre talent to debut his new work.

Equally uplifting and heartbreaking, for many people FUN HOME is easily the most significant musical of 2015 and of this era of American musical theatre. Recently, Gabriella Pizzolo, who made her Broadway debut in MATILDA, THE MUSICAL, took over the role of Small Alison in FUN HOME. I caught up with the young star to talk about the show and this now iconic role.

Globally, bullying is a problem facing many school aged children. It is a comfort to know that many are looking for ways to curb bullying and make the world a better place for our children. On Monday, February 8, 2016, to celebrate it's expansion to the East Coast, the international anti-bullying organization No Bully will be rocking Feinstein's/54 Below with their fundraising concert BROADWAY AGAINST BULLYING.

Last week, Broadway veteran Benjamin Eakeley delighted audiences with his charming solo cabaret Broadway Swinger at Feinstein's/54 Below. The 60s themed show featured a book by Tim Murray and Eakeley, which was filled with interesting factoids about the decade. It was also masterfully directed by JV Mercanti. Through the songs of Broadway and with a gorgeous vocal instrument, Eakeley charted how musical theater, much like the rest of America, transitioned from the saccharine sweet ideals of the 50s to the uninhibited and libidinous vibes of the sexual revolution.

Timothy Haskell and Psycho Clan are finding news ways to delight New Yorkers during the holidays. They have successfully scared the pants off many with the critically acclaimed Nightmare Haunted House. They have brought New Yorkers gleeful, springtime joy with Full Bunny Contact. Now, they're ready to give New Yorker's copious amounts of mirth and frivolity with Stantastical: A Very, Merry Twistmas. To get the inside scoop, I chatted with Timothy Haskell about the new project.

Anika Larsen, who originated the role of Cynthia Weil in the smash hit Broadway musical BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, has returned to the Broadway following her maternity leave. Recently, I went back stage at BEAUTIFUL and chatted with the celebrated actress in her dressing room. We talked about what it's like being a Broadway actress and a new mom, the upcoming holidays, and more.

What happens when you mix equal parts Murder, She Wrote with Mad Libs? You get Billy Mitchell's rib-tickling theatrical confection VILLAIN: DeBLANKS. Currently enjoying a residency at The Triad, audiences can catch the madcap hilarity on the first Sunday of each month through April 3, 2016.

Well-Strung, the celebrated boy band string quartet, are gleefully following in the footsteps of their predecessors. With A Well-Strung Christmas, the charming foursome gives plenty of reasons for us all to put aside our copies of New Kids on the Block's Merry, Merry Christmas and 'N SYNC's Home For Christmas. They also leave us asking Santa to turn this show into an album in time for Christmas 2016 too.

Lea DeLaria, the television, stage, and music star who is currently best known as Carrie 'Big Boo' Black in the hit Netflix series ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, recently released HOUSE OF DAVID: DELARIA + BOWIE = JAZZ. The innovative album earned strong reviews, and she has been treating New York audiences to live performances of the record. To get the inside scoop on the record and concerts, I recently chatted with DeLaria.

For Telly Leung's sophomore album, SONGS FOR YOU, the acclaimed Broadway performer decided to make an album where each song is dedicated to the important people in his life. According to the liner notes that is where each of the classic tunes that compose the track listing found their breath of life, allowing Leung to "focus on the sentiment and energy of the song." Thus, audiences are presented with an album that almost sounds like a cabaret act, except it's clearly recorded in a studio.

Fresh from her stint as Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago, Rumer Willis and her "nonsexual life partner" Tye Blue took Feinstein's/54 Below by storm with Homage, their soulful and decidedly jazzy cabaret show. Thoroughly enjoying their New York City cabaret debuts, the talented duo had no high concept for the evening. "We're not trying to reinvent cabaret," Blue said. They sang the songs they love to sing in the car when driving around Los Angeles together. As eye rolling and groan inducing as this concept may sound, it must be noted that this simplicity ensured that each and every number had the enthusiastic audience energized and left them applauding and cheering with abandon.

A musical comedy where the first act climaxes in a dramatic representation of the collapse of The Twin Towers on September 11, 2001 may not be the easiest ticket to sell, especially in New York City. Yet, the Off-Broadway musical WHO'S YOUR BAGHDADDY? OR HOW I STARTED THE IRAQ WAR by Marshall Pailet and A.D. Penedo, based on a screenplay by J.T. Allen, has found an audience with material that is both challenging and truly funny.

Well-Strung, the popular string quartet that is also a boy band, launched their second album POPssical with a CD Release Concert at Feinstein's/54 Below. The show was a reworked version of their cabaret revue titled POPssical, and included new surprises mixed in with the familiar favorites. As always with the gifted group, the guys played their instruments with virtuosic integrity and provided stirring vocals, especially during melodious harmonies.

The boys of Well-Strung are back with their thrilling sophomore album, POPssical. With a track listing inspired by their acclaimed cabaret show by the same title, this follow-up to their self-titled debut album avoids the treacherous waters of the dreaded sophomore slump and gifts fans and newcomers with a vibrantly bodacious new record that improves on their original and alluring concept.